Trending Now - Bose Launches New Soundbar and Speakers to Compete With Sonos
WHO:
TechRadar - Bose, a consumer electronics company, has launched a new product line.
Fast Company - Raza Haider, Bose's president of premium consumer audio, is involved in the launch.
WHAT:
Bloomberg.com - Bose's Lifestyle Ultra lineup is available to preorder beginning Tuesday and will be in stores May 15.
The Verge - The Ultra speaker is Auracast capable, but will not be Auracast enabled when it launches on May 15.
The Verge - Bose plans to include services like Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect in the future.
TechRadar - Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra line is a strategic reset, featuring a new platform that the company spent several years building.
Fast Company - Raza Haider stated, "It’s a completely brand new platform, where we ripped the guts out of the old technology infrastructure."
The Verge - The Lifestyle Ultra speaker is priced at $299, the Ultra soundbar at $1,099, and the Ultra subwoofer at $899.
The Verge - The Ultra speaker is Auracast capable but will not be Auracast enabled when it launches on May 15.
The Verge - Bose plans to include services like Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect in the future.
TechRadar - Bose has released a new flagship soundbar and a range of wireless speakers called the Lifestyle Collection.
Fast Company - The new Lifestyle Ultra line includes a $299 standalone speaker, a $1,099 soundbar, and an $899 subwoofer.
Fast Company - Bose's new offerings can be combined into a surround sound system.
Fast Company - Bose is discontinuing the SoundTouch platform, which was launched in 2013.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The new Bose products are designed for use in home audio systems.
WHEN:
Fast Company - Bose plans to support additional voice agents over time.
WHY:
Fast Company - Bose is rethinking its approach to smart speakers to better meet customer preferences, as indicated by Raza Haider's statement: "We basically heard from our customers that they want the music where they listen to their music."
Fast Company - The decision to discontinue the SoundTouch platform was influenced by user dissatisfaction with the lack of internet-based features and security updates.
HOW:
Fast Company - The Lifestyle Ultra speakers will not support music controls through Bose's mobile app, requiring users to utilize Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, or Spotify Connect for playback.
The Verge - The Ultra speaker can stream music over Wi-Fi through Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect, and can also be added to AirPlay and Google Cast speaker groups, including those with non-Bose speakers.
Fast Company - Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra speakers delegate most smart features to third-party systems like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect.
Fast Company - The new platform is described as a "completely brand new platform" that allows for future adaptability and integration with other technologies.
(UPDATED May 5, 2026 23:16 UTC)
Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra lineup is set to hit stores on May 15, and preorders are already available. While the Ultra speaker will be capable of Auracast, it won't be enabled at launch, and users will need to rely on Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, or Spotify Connect for playback since music controls through Bose's mobile app won't be supported. Additionally, Bose plans to incorporate services like Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect in the future.
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(UPDATED May 5, 2026 17:29 UTC)
Bose has announced a strategic reset with its new Lifestyle Ultra line, which features a completely new platform developed over several years. The Lifestyle Ultra speaker will be priced at $299, while the Ultra soundbar and subwoofer will retail for $1,099 and $899, respectively, and although the speaker will be Auracast capable, it won't be enabled at launch on May 15. Additionally, the Ultra speaker will support music streaming over Wi-Fi through Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect, and can be integrated into existing speaker groups, including those that feature non-Bose products.
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(UPDATED May 5, 2026 15:36 UTC)
Bose has launched a new product line that includes the Lifestyle Collection, featuring a flagship soundbar priced at $1,099, a standalone speaker for $299, and an $899 subwoofer, all designed for home audio systems. Raza Haider, Bose's president of premium consumer audio, highlighted that the new Lifestyle Ultra speakers will delegate smart features to third-party systems like Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, marking a shift in their approach to smart speakers. Additionally, the company is discontinuing the SoundTouch platform due to user dissatisfaction, as they aim to better meet customer preferences for music accessibility.